Two killed, including child, in stabbing attack in German town park

A stabbing attack at a park in the German town of Aschaffenburg on Wednesday left two people dead, including a child, and two others seriously injured, police said.

A man taken into custody shortly afterwards is the suspect in the attack, a police spokesman told dpa. Authorities did not provide details about the victims and the suspect.

"Investigations into the motive are under way," said a police spokesman, who urged the public to avoid speculation until further facts can be gathered.

A second person believed to be a witness to the incident was also detained by the police but is not suspected of any wrongdoing. "He is currently being questioned," police said in a post on X.

According to the information available so far, a stabbing weapon was used. The scene of the crime and the park were cordoned off after the incident in the Bavarian town at midday.

The spokesman said on Wednesday afternoon that there was no ongoing danger to the public.

The Schöntal Park, where the incident occurred, is located in the town centre and is subject to regular police foot patrols, the spokesman said. The police presence may be one of the reasons why the suspect was caught quickly, he added.

According to the city, the historic English garden-style park is just over nine hectares in size.

Police halted rail traffic in Aschaffenburg, a small city located between Frankfurt and Würzburg, because a suspect allegedly tried to flee across the railroad tracks.

German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn said trains to and from the city are currently being held, and that the extent of the impact on regional train traffic remains unclear.

Police asked for help from possible witnesses, and also solicited videos or photos from the public that may have captured the incident or the suspects.

"We are currently preparing a portal where you can send us your relevant pictures and videos," said the Lower Franconia regional police headquarters on X.